Starting your drawing journey? Let’s begin with the basics — tone.
What is tone in drawing?
Tone (or value) refers to how light or dark something appears. It helps us show depth, volume, and contrast — and gives life to even the simplest sketch.
Here are 5 easy tone exercises to train your hand and eye before diving into complex drawing:
1. Shading in Different Directions
Divide your paper into 4 horizontal strips.
For each strip, choose a different pencil direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal, circular).
In each one, layer 5 levels of tone — gradually shortening each layer so you see the buildup. It’s like a tone staircase.
2. Pencil Hardness Test (Crosshatching)
Let’s explore how different pencil grades (H, HB, B, etc.) behave in crosshatching.
Use one long strip and try 3–4 pencils in it — from hardest to softest.
The softer the pencil, the less space it gets. Build up layers with each, overlapping them to see how they mix. Make a check of all the pencils on top.
3. Tone Blocks (Pressure & Pencil Softness)
Draw 10–12 small squares.
In each one, experiment with pressure and pencil softness — go from barely-there to bold, from light HB to buttery-soft 6B.
Try to copy some tone samples or invent your own gradients.
4. Stippling & Micro-Hatching
Draw 9 more squares.
Now try to create a smooth tonal gradient using tiny strokes or dots — no big lines, just patience. Think like a pixel artist.
5. Your Own Design
Take it further — can you recreate a complex geometric tone drawing?
Or maybe invent your own structure using what you've practiced?
Use small strokes, shading, and pencil variety to bring it to life.
How to Use These
Try doing at least one exercise per day for 5 days — or pick the ones you like most.
Share your progress with me! I’d love to see what you create 🫶🏻
Tips:
Keep your hand relaxed.
Use smooth paper (like sketching or drafting paper).
Avoid very soft paper — it shouldn’t get damaged while shading.
🤍 Have fun — you’re training your artist's eye and hand, one tone at a time.
Mary 🫗